Wayne R. Tarkiainen

Worcester – Wayne Robert Tarkiainen, 82, passed away Monday evening, April 7 at his home after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He leaves his wife of 27 years, Elaine M. (Gueli) Tarkiainen; four children, Nancy Gasco and her husband, Carl of Millbury, Pamela LeProhon and her husband, Daniel of Oxford, Leanne May and her spouse Kathy Amadio of Worcester, and Matthew May of Andover; six grandchildren, Keith, Ashley, Kevin, James, Jessica, and Courtney; six great-grandchildren, Connor, Angelina, Avery (predeceased), Tessa, Ailee, and Carter. He was born in Worcester, the son of Elmer Oliver and Mildred (Strolis) Tarkiainen and graduated from South High School. Wayne proudly served in the US Navy aboard the USS Pocono.

Wayne worked at Worcester Wire for many years until the plant closure. He worked at Clark University, in the Power Plant, before retiring. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post and the Retired Friends of Greendale.

He took pride in maintaining his yard and especially his numerous birdhouses. Wayne enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and managed to find a casino in every country he visited. Wayne was up for anything, including bungee jumping in Aukland New Zealand or feeding the lions on safari in Africa. He was an avid sports fan, and he was delighted in the fact that his beloved New York Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl twice. He proudly wore his tee-shirt stating, “I root for any team that beats the Yankees, especially the Red Sox.”

Visiting Hours are Monday, April 14, from 10 AM to Noon with a Prayer Service at Noon in Callahan Fay Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc. of Worcester at www.veteransinc.org